The title of this post is an inside joke between previous coworkers of mine. It was a slow day at work, and we were laughing at how all of us are bookworms, and that books tend to become destroyed after our use. Throughout the conversation, one of us used the term "I murder books," and eventually the hashtag above was born...now on to the post... :)
I have always loved books. Sounds extremely cliché, but it's true. Ever since I can remember, some of my best memories involved going to the library, reading with my mom before bed, or trying to write my own poems and short stories. Books have had a profound impact on my life - they allow me to escape, learn, relax, tap into my emotions, be inspired to write, and so much more. I decided to capture a few of my all time faves & highlight them below (in order of when I first read/started reading them). Enjoy!
1. Peanuts comics by Charles Schulz
At my grandma's house I'd read the comic strips in the Des Moines Register before school; I'd check out their book collections from the library; and to this day I collect Peanuts memorabilia....but for the life of me, I have NO IDEA how my obsession with Snoopy or Charlie Brown even began! Looking back, I most likely became attached because I could personally relate with each character in their own way - Charlie Brown's insecurities, Snoopy & Woodstock's imaginative antics, Lucy's sassy nature, Sally's life-long crush....the list goes on and on. Reading these comics brings back so much nostalgia & I love that I can share my love at home, in my office at work, and with children's books for Eli :)
2. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in 5th grade - wow that was long ago! But ever since that day "The magical world of Harry Potter" has been real for me. Fun fact - it is the only book series I've ever re-read (I have this thing with only reading books once), and now comparing the stories & movies has become sort of a past-time with a few close friends. My favorite? It's a tie between the 3rd (Prizoner of Azkaban) and the 6th (The Half-Blood Prince).
3. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou
When I was younger, my dream was to become a writer. As I got older and matured in my book preferences, Maya Angelou became one of my inspirations. The picture above is the exact copy of my book at home, and just seeing this image brings me back to all the emotions I experienced when first reading this. Her writing truly speaks generations, and it was actually her poetry that introduced me to that passion of mine.
4. The Bridges of Madison County Robert James Waller
At this stage in my life (middle/high school) my book preferences definitely started to mature - first with Maya Angelou, then with Bridges. And no surprise, I couldn't even begin this list without honoring one of the most famous books set in Iowa (then created into a movie - which to be honest I've never seen). But as far as the book goes - it screams passion, love, heartbreak, intergenerational family relationships, sadness & hope.
5. Skinny Ibi Kaslik
By my teenage years, I finally started accepting that my three-year struggle with food, exercise & weight in middle school was indeed a classified eating disorder. Thus started my research on all things ED-related: true-life stories, celebrity accounts, and fiction & nonfiction alike. As I browsed Barnes & Noble one Saturday afternoon (as I often did with my mom at the end of a shopping spree) I randomly found this novel and was gripped from beginning to end. Through all of my own personal research and reflections, nothing had ever felt authentic or true to me until I read this piece of fiction. I still own my original copy to this day, which has quotes underlined, because I finally found a voice that related to and understood where I had been. This story goes back and forth between two sisters, and at the time I had difficulty separating out the two 1st person narratives, but it is seriously on my must-read list forever - but please be fair warned that you may need tissues!
6. The Da Vinci Code Dan Brown
By high school my reading interests expanded from "teeny-bopper" fiction to more adult stories. A friend of mine had been reading this new suspense/thriller so I thought I'd give it a try. Fast forward to today, and I have read every single Dan Brown novel that exists. His writing is so captivating & I love that it keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. I didn't see the movie until years later, but still would recommend his books over the cinema :)
7. Intuitive Eating Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Risch
Nutrition counseling was my absolute favorite college course - and it introduced me to this wonderful resource. No other book from college has even come close to being used over and over again with so many clients like this one has. I utilize the 10 Principles handout, and discuss topics from this book DAILY. Don't believe me? My current copy has been in a client's possession for over one year, so it looks like I might need to order the newest edition :)
8. Eat Pray Love Elizabeth Gilbert
I read this book at the PERFECT time in my life - my family had just moved to Minnesota, I had started a new job, was no longer teaching yoga, Eli was in a new daycare, my workplace was going through major shifts just one month after I started...so you could say I was a little stressed. From there, in creeped the headaches/migraines, and multiple other physical symptoms that left me overwhelmed. Eventually I experienced a few panic attacks in the middle of Target, and I knew something was terribly wrong if one of my favorite places left me feeling hopeless. So all of this was going on...and somehow the universe led to me this book. (Things happen for a reason, right?) I had heard of it, but had never read or watched the movie. A couple pages in, I was already doing some internal reflections: Am I, too, experiencing anxiety? Do I need to start medication again? What about this meditation thing - should I give it a try? Fast forward, the answers ended up being yes, Yes, and YES! You can read all about my journey to meditation in my blog post Barely Breathing, but long story short, this book TRULY changed my perspective on life, and Liz Gilbert is now one of my favorite writers (see below).
9. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear Elizabeth Gilbert
10. Body Positive Power Megan Jayne Crabbe aka @bodyposipanda
Not only does she fearlessly dance on Instagram, but she is also one of my favorite anti-diet role models - which of course makes her book SOOOO amazing already. So great, I may add, that the entire dietitian team at work has read through & utilized points in her book to educate clients. If you ever have a chance to follow her on social media, DO SO, or at least listen to podcasts she is featured on. Her Aussie accent is the best, but her message is even better.
11. The Body is Not An Apology Sonya Renee Taylor
I cannot get enough of this fierce woman who not only wrote the book, but started a podcast and website dedicated to radical self-love. This book not only uncovers body image, but she also dives deep into the marginalization of all bodies that society deems "less than" - minorities, females, LGBTQ, disabled, socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, etc. She coins the term body terrorism which could seriously be an entire separate blog post. She also discusses privileges that not every BODY receives equally. Being (what society would label me) a white, straight, thin, middle class female, this resource was everything I wanted and needed to hear.
12. The Light We Lost Jill Santopolo
I had this on my "Want-To-Read" list in my iPhone for months before a copy was even available at my library. And the wait was well worth it - I read it in 2 days (which NEVER happens to me) and was captivated immediately from the first chapter. This book follows two (which seemed to be destined) lovers on the course of their lives, and how they are always connected, even during years they don't speak. The story continues to reflect on the first day they met (September 11, 2001) and how that bond never breaks. Ugh, my heart!
13. Daring Greatly Brene Brown
To be honest, I'm actually currently reading this gem, thanks to my supervisor's book collection. And needless to say I foresee more Brene Brown in my future! The topic of shame & vulnerability strikes a chord within me, because I have always defined myself as a "perfectionist." Brene's courage to research these topics (when so many were against it) says a lot about her character & why her studies are needed in the mental health community!
If you've made it to the end, I hope you've been able to add some new reads to your wish list. Let me know what some of your personal faves are that I should check out!
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